President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cabinet members will today partake in a “pork buffet” at the New Thriving Restaurant even as the Ministry of Agriculture assures the public that the country’s pig industry is free from swine flu.
According to a press release the World Health Organisation has said that Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) is not a food or animal health issue but is transmitted from human to human. Local health and agriculture officials have also confirmed that there is no evidence or reports of any infections in Guyana.
The release said too the pig industry has had a decline in sales over the last several months but Minster Robert Persaud has said the Guyana’s pork is safe. He said while the health ministry continues to monitor the spread of the influenza consumers are advised “that there is no risk when consuming pork or any other livestock product in Guyana.” The minister also said the agriculture and health ministries are collaborating on a national surveillance programme to ensure that the animal health system remains intact and in a state of alert. The buffet will be held from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
